I had just planted myself in the Returns line at Hobby Lobby, wanting to return a picture that was a bit wonky. I loved the saying on the picture, but when I went to hang it on the wall, I realized it was warped and thus wouldn’t lay flat on the wall. Standing there holding the warped picture, I was deep in thought about my own life, which also felt a bit warped. We were in a season of great pain and turmoil, as tragedies were playing out due to unwise decisions made by one of our loved ones. As a result, our entire family felt trauma to some level. We hoped in time, there would be healing.

With my thoughts on our crisis, I realized the beautiful young lady ahead of me was talking to me. I hadn’t even heard her, but she repeated her question, asking if I thought the silver Sharpie would show up on the black surface she was holding. I remembered our daughter’s wedding and how we had used a gold Sharpie on a black background. It hadn’t shown up as we’d hoped, so I assured the young lady ahead of me that the silver was a great choice.

My eyes shifted to the cross she was holding so I complimented her on it.

“It’s a gift for a wedding today.” Then she went on to explain she had noticed this one yesterday, but then purchased another. However, during the night, she realized she preferred the first choice so came back to exchange her purchase for this cross. Oh, a girl after my own heart. I’m notorious for overthinking my decisions, especially in the middle of the night.

In the moments that followed, she shared the most tender story of a groom who was going to be married without his best friend in attendance, his sister. She then told me the sister had tragically passed away, but during her life, had given crosses to her brother. This gift would be the newlyweds first cross to hang on their wall; a gift from both the sister who no longer was with them, and this young lady who understood the significance.

By now I choked back tears, so touched by her story. As the cashier motioned her forward, the young lady turned to me and said, “You know, God always uses our tragedies and our tears. He never wastes them.”

I nodded in agreement, unable to choke out words. It was a truth I knew very well, but standing behind her with my warped picture reflecting on my warped life circumstances, there couldn’t have been a better time to be reminded.

I almost stepped out of line with my wonky picture and brought it back home. Maybe I needed a reminder of the special message delivered to me that day, but I returned it. I knew the chance encounter with this young woman had been carefully arranged by my loving Father. Yes, even this season of hardship and tragedy would be used by Him. I just needed to keep my eyes on Him and trust Him to the outcomes.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purposes.” (ESV).